Glossary

[Jesse]

instrumental case grammatical case in Russian indicating "by means of", translated to English as with, by, or using wikipedia

golfo mistico : Italian "mystic gulf"; use meaning "orchestra pit" originates with Wagner.

Pevear's reference here is somewhat obscure. He describes Shigalyov's logic as attacking the edges of the problem, but lacking a coherent central principal; hence negative space at the center. It could also suggest a chorus of demons, in an opera such as Don Giovanni.

[Jesse]

quadrille A lively dance for four couples in which the participants constantly swap couples; usage as "quadrille of literature" suggests the "stately quadrille" of shifting alliances among the Great Powers of 18th Century Europe wikipedia

[Jesse]

flensing from flense to cut fat from a carcass. Here "flensing laughter" can mean stripping the pomposity from the sanctimonious discourse of Russian liberals (socialists).

[Jesse]

Volapük Kirillov's speech is described as "agrammatical" with a suggestion that he is losing or transcending his "Russian-ness". Here his grammar is compared with Volapük, a constructed international language dating from 1879 (preceding the more successful Esperanto) wikipedia